The Education Slot

This week the education slot was delivered by Mark Whylie on the subject of ‘Specific is Terrific’,

In a 15 second exercise, where you are asked to list as many things as you can think of in a second time period. When you are asked to name things that relate to you, on average your list will increase by approximately 30%.

In a 60 seconds, state who you looking for, use an existing reference point when possible, state the problem you can solve and where these people can be found.

Notable Networker:

Frank Keefe from The Gasworks Cheshire is this months Notable Networker.

New Members:

This week we welcomed to Dan Pala from Liberonet to the group.

60 second trophy:

The trophy was won by Jason Pestel from JP Sports Therapy

The 10 Minute presentation

The presentation was delivered by Frank Keefe from The Gasworks Cheshire, a plumbing and heating company who work around the Cheshire region.

The specialise in the installation and servicing of gas, LPG, solid fuel and oil heating and hot water systems.

On Saturday 3rd November 2018, a local networking group, BNI Mere, was awarded the ‘Chapter of the Year’ and ‘Largest Net Growth’, fighting off fierce competition from 20 other regional groups.

The group meet every Thursday morning at High Legh Park Golf Club. Meetings start at 10:30am and finish at midday. Open networking is available before and after the meeting. It costs £15 to attend a meeting and this covers your refreshments, room hire and a light lunch. Currently the group consists of 27 members who’ve passed over £530,000 of business in the last 12 months. Their growth plans include reaching 30 members and passing £750,000 by April 2019.

10 minute speaker: Terry Chrystal from Cross Street Garage

The 10 minute speaker this week was Terry Chrystal from Cross Street Garage in Sale and TLC Garage in Warrington. Did an apprentice at Vauxhall and then worked mobile until taking on Cross Street Garage.

Our figures this week:

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today’s meeting was somewhat special. Our members wore pink in support of those suffering with breast cancer and many of them also made some delicious cakes which were used to raise funds for Cancer Care Packs for Shine Bright Charity.

A warm welcome to our visitors and guests:

Emma Fawcett-Eustace, Florist

Julie Antonelli from Travel Counsellors

Paul Caslin from Mow Gardening

Hazel Burgess from Nurture Your Skin

Julie Cameron from Jem Recycling and Waste

Wendy Heyes from Open House East Cheshire

Angela Highton from Home Cooked Food

Education slot: testimonials

How to write a testimonial

Focus on the person and business.

Go into details on how good they are at providing their service and products.

What did they do right?

Always try and make it a first person testimonial.

How did it make you feel?

Please can you write a testimonial for anyone who has completed some work for you.

10 minute speaker: Russell Brown from X-Press Legal Services

X-Press Legal Services in Stockport are a national provider of property searches to anyone who purchases a property.

Planning permission – if a loft has been converted but does not have planning permission, you cannot market it as a room

Contaminated land – cannot be sold, you will be responsible for the clean up and costs

10 minute speaker: The incoming leadership team

The 10 minutes this week was delivered by Sue Richards, John McKenzie and Ric Webster

Following on from last weeks member survey, the members of BNI Mere have requested the following:

Chapter charter and growth

The minimum requirements of members, and the team will help you to achieve the results, 1 referral per member per month, 2 x 1-2-1s per member per month, 3 visitors per member per year, 3 testimonials per member per year, 1 training per member per year

The chapter will provide 1 x post meeting training per quarter, 1 x tailored mentoring per quarter and 2 x chapter social events per year for members to assist with achieving the above goals

The majority of members want the chapter to grow by numbers and TYFTB. The aim is to get 30 members by April 19, and for the TYFTB to go to £750k by April 19. There are no clear target for October 19. That is a 15% increase in referral value.

Visitor experience – we will no longer distinguish between sub, visitor, etc. All will be greeted at the desk and asked to sign in. They will be made a drink and introduced to members for open networking.

Slides for any presentation must be supplied the night before, if they are not supplied you will need to find an alternative independence source to show them.

There will be no more ‘nothing from me this week’, you will need to talk about what you are working on.

Any other business, will be pre-notified and appropriate – the leadership team will deal with issues as will the membership committee, if you have topics outside this then please speak to John for advice.

The education slot

Ed Slot was delivered by Ellen O’Donnell and was all about Hot or Not.

How hot is your referral?

1 – gave someone your name

2 – gave someone your business card

3 – Gave someone your card and a recommendation

4 – You have arranged a meeting with the contact and your member

5 – You have arranged a meeting for the contact, the member and yourself

10 minute speaker: Steve Butler from Telecom Solu7ions

Steve talked about Horizon, a complete hosted communication system which allows you to manage your calls effectively. It allows to you keep your old numbers, but also add new ones. Call forwarding feature enabled. Administrator interface can be managed internally or externally.

Can be used for conference calls, hold and pick up by another phones, group calls, etc. Enhances flexible working for the modern company that may not always be office based with the ability to manage mobile and landlines.